EN 
GR 
About Komotini
Komotini is a byzantine era built town located at the heart of Thraki Prefecture, at Rodopi County. It served back then, as the middle destination in travelling from Konstantinople (Istanbul), to Thesaloniki (Saloniki), since it resides exactly in the middle of that distance. Thus local society is a civilization melting pot of the whole region forming a most interesting cultural mosaic.
Democritus University of Thrace, one of the most important universities of North Greece, is located in Komotini. Its presence has greatly affected both economically and culturally the locals. The town hosts nearly 10000 students from all over Greece and Cyprus, creating one of the most vibrant atmosphere in Greece.
The region shares borders to the North with the Rodopi mountains extending also to Bulgaria. Borders can be crossed as close as in 15 km from Komotini, and access to Ski resort of Pamporovo in Buglaria is very close. Plovdiv is accesible in 1,5hr drive.
To the East and to the West, there is Alexandroupolis and Xanthi, respectively, both in a distance of about 25 minute drive. Alexandroupolis is the main local air hub for both national and international flights, from Greece, and there is also the sea port that links our region with the paradise island of Samothraki, in the North Aegean sea. Trip is about 3hrs from Alexandroupoli.
Xanthi, at the West, is famous for its old town festivals in late September, and its Carnival which is well established and attracts visitors from all over Greece.
To the South of the Rodopi county reside the famous beaches and seafront line of Fanari, Arogi to the West, and Maroneia districts, to the East. This particular region is famous to all Thrace Prefecture, and attracts visitors from all over North Greece, and lately, Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkey. In a very small stretch of land one can enjoy long golden sandy beaches, vibrant local beach bars, at the Western side of the shore, together with secluded pieces of shady rocky beaches accessible through famous archeological sites, and thousand year old olive trees, to the Eastern part of the shore, close to Maroneia region.
Landscape is breathtaking. This, combined with the local hospitality, accessibility to local pine tree forests, lakes of rare bird sighting, the East and West beachfront, the diversity of food flavors, inheritance of the multicultural mosaic, and the vibrant student life, makes the region one of the best unexplored destinations to visit!
Activities one may combine, to any visit in the region, is diverse. Very close to Fanari, is the Vistonida Lake, protected by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. There rare bird sighting is common! Cycling and Tennis practice in forest environment is also an option, as the forest of Nympaia, 10mins from the Komotini centre, is offering paved cycling paths, basketball court, and Tennis court!